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Many English verbs begin with the prefix re-, meaning “again” or “backward,” so we wouldn’t criticize you for drawing a connection between rebuff and buff, a verb meaning “to polish or shine.” But rebuff would beg to differ: this word comes to us from the Middle French verb rebuffer, which traces back to the Old Italian ribuffare, meaning “to reprimand.” (Buff, in contrast, comes from the Middle French noun buffle, meaning “wild ox”). A similar word, rebuke, shares the “criticize” sense of rebuff, but not the “reject” sense; one can rebuke another’s actions or policies, but one does not rebuke the advances of another, for example. Like rebuke, rebuff can also be used as a noun, as in “The proposal was met with a stern rebuff from the Board of Trustees.”
Examples of rebuff in a Sentence
Barbara Demick, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
In dismissing the lawsuit, the court rebuffed that assertion, finding that both sides agreed for Zero Gravity alone to be McLeod’s manager.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
Three counties had passed resolutions in favor of open primaries, but McKinney and other activists were rebuffed by party leadership.
—John Opdycke, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
With mounting casualties and a strained economy, the Kremlin undoubtedly wants to avoid pushing an angry and rebuffed Trump towards restoring and possibly redoubling US support for the Ukrainian war effort.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Cite this Entry
“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuff. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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